The branch of Banque Populaire Méditerranée in Monaco (BPMED) is in full evolution; it wishes to support its clients on the path traced by the Principality: a dynamic green finance and a development supported by digital technology. Interview with Mr. Régis ETIENNE, Director of BPMED in Monaco.
Is sustainable development and green finance an important issue for BPMED?
It is very important and since the arrival in April 2021 of our new General Manager, Mrs. Sabine CALBA, we have further strengthened our "green side". For example, 100% of the electricity consumed by BPMED is now green electricity, and we have also taken numerous measures to significantly reduce our carbon footprint. We have to be exemplary. In addition, we provide many green loans to help companies become more energy efficient. For example, we help them to change their fleet of vehicles to hybrid or electric cars or to finance the production of renewable energy (solar...)
Subsidized loans for the ecological transition of companies can be distributed within the European Union, but companies in Monaco are not eligible. However, in order to provide our clients with the best possible support, we are doing our utmost to offer equivalent conditions to European companies.
Along with the financing measures, we also have a whole range of green products combining ethics and performance for our saving customers.
BPMED is becoming a highly digitalized bank, for what purpose?
To give our customers as much autonomy as possible for day-to-day operations (transfers, etc.) and to be available for customers with questions or projects that require the expertise of an employee.
We are constantly striving to improve our security system to help make Monaco one of the safest banking centers in the world. We wanted our Information System (IS) to be even more efficient, so we decided to migrate to the IS of the Banques Populaires group in France. Its power in terms of security and firewall is indisputable. It combines efficiency and practicality, for increased customer benefit. A maximum number of operations can be carried out by customers from their computer, tablet or smartphone: placing stock market orders directly, making transfers, even outside the SEPA zone, etc. The strong authentication system works, to accompany our customers anywhere in the world with the highest level of security. And all these services are free of charge, except for a modest monthly fee for placing stock market orders.
What would you say is the specificity of BPMED in Monaco?
We remain very attached to our local, regional and field anchorage by using all the possibilities offered by the new digital means. We are a local bank with a strong knowledge of our clients, whether they are individuals or companies.
We thus synthesize the best of human resources and the best of digital technology to serve our customers.
